After the worst possible start to the season, Sydney is the form side of competition, winning five of its past six matches.

And the Bombers got back on the winners list in emphatic fashion before the bye to put themselves in the top eight.

As unbelievable as it sounds, Sydney lost the first six matches of the season and many thought they were cooked for finals.

But, if they win this one, their record will be equal to Essendon’s, putting them in the top eight, at least temporarily.

The Swans showed the depths of their fighting capabilities against a plucky Richmond at the MCG on the weekend, fighting back from six goals down to run out nine point winners 12.8 (80) to 10.11 (71).

Running defender Zak Jones and Nic Newman showed the Swans future is in safe hands, with 26 disposals each as the Swans had a remarkable 11 individual goal kickers who produced their 12 majors for the day. Only Sam Reid, with two goals, managed more than one.

Dan Hannebery and Jake Lloyd did a power of work in the midfield with 25 touches each, while Josh Kennedy, down for most of the game, came a live in the last quarter to ignite the Swans in their comeback and keep their slim finals hopes alive.

If the Swans were impressive, then the rampant Dons were comprehensive.

The game was over at quarter time as the Bombers booted seven goals to one and went on to a 19.17 (131) to 8.13 (61) win.

Cale Hooker (five) and Joe Daniher (four) were twin towers up front, booting nine between them – more than Port Adelaide’s entire 22.

Zach Merrett went mental in the midfield with 38 possessions and seven tackles, while Dyson Heppell had 34, Brendon Goddard 31 and Jobe Watson 30 as the Bombers monstered their opponents, setting up what could be a classic in Sydney on Friday night.

Same Game multi:
Sydney Swans to win at $1.44
Total Game Score under 178.5 at $1.90
Lance Franklin to kick four or more goals at $1.45
Dyson Heppell to have 25 or more disposals at $1.25
David Zaharakis to have 20 or more disposals at $1.05Five leg same game multi pays $8.50 with Sportsbet.com.au

Sydney Swans to win at $1.44

With both sides seemingly in red hot form, it would not surprise if there was an upset from the Bombers – after all, they are above Sydney on the ladder. But the home ground advantage, coupled with the Swans’ record of five wins from their last six encounters – with the one aberration a close loss at home against the Hawks – makes them the form team of the competition. And the record between these two teams is not pretty reading for Bombers supporters. Sydney has won the past six meetings against the Bombers and seven of the past eight. That dominance should continue on Friday night.

Total Game Score under 178.5 at $1.90

Aside from last season’s 81 point thrashing the Swans handed out against the supplements scandal depleted Bombers in Round Seven last season, three of the past four games between these two sides have been low scoring affairs. Clashes at ANZ and the SCG yielded less than 150 points and, given we think Sydney will win, we expect them to use their typical choking game to keep the scores low – they’ve only conceded 70 points per game in their past six, and scored 102. It’s close, but still under 179.

Lance Franklin to kick four or more goals at $1.45

Big Buddy got Ranced last week, but even with Michael Hurley, the Bombers don’t have a defender with that sort of class. He slammed on six goals in their last clash and has always loved dining out on the Bombers. Franklin has kicked more goals against Essendon than any other team, with a remarkable 64 in 13 games – nearly five per outing. There are three certainties in life: Death, taxes and Lance Franklin booting a big bag against the Bombers. Put him down for four just for rocking up.

Dyson Heppell to have 25 or more disposals at $1.25 and David Zaharakis to have 20 or more disposals at $1.05

You always need to find a way to pump a little bit of value into your same game multi and you do that by picking a couple of converse results. Heppell over 25 is just about a given. He’s only failed to reach that mark once in his past five matches and absolutely lit up Port Adelaide before the bye with 34 possessions and a goal. He’s the hard man that gets in and under and if he gets a mountain of it, the Bombers are always a chance. Similarly, Zaharakis has broken out of his slow start to the season in a big way. He’s also cracked 25 disposals in each of his past three matches, but we’re giving him the extra five, given his pour outing yielded only 21 against GWS. We’re expecting both men to be prominent for the Bombers in a low scoring match that should be close.